eclipse phase campaign

5/22/2018 Eclipse Phase Campaign - Ark

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ArkStory by Thomas Sentenial latterThe RPG X-Cast | rpgxcast.wordpress.com

Running the Campaign

These notes are a conglomeration of ideas and plot hooks that are both original and stolen frommany of the different story tropes. Some of the sections are incredibly detailed, whilst some only

are a short outline. So you are either required to be creative in telling the story, filling in the gaps

where missing. Or you can choose to ignore specific details especially if the players go full

Hendersonor bring an 11 foot pole. So basically, feel free to use the information in these notes

as much or as little as desired. Other resources youll need are the Eclipse Phase Core

Rulebook and the Gatecrashing Sourcebook could also be used for additional setting

information.

AmendmentsI have kept the entire original campaign in this document, however due to player feedback, thereare a couple of amendments and they are noted as such. These should improve the campaign

as a whole and while they are 'tacked on' per say, they should be used to improve the game.

The SetupTerraGenesis has put the word out for a special mission of planetary exploration that is paying

10 times the regular amounts in finders fees. The planet in question is Alpha Centauri B-d, an

Earth sized planet existing in the goldilocks zone of Alpha Centauri B. Firewall flagged the

unusual activity of this mission through automated sweeps and secured the mission spots foryour team. Both entities supply you with few details of the mission. TerraGenesis offers the

directive of standard exploration protocols with full mission briefing to be given before gate entry.

Firewall suspects X-risks in this mission and advises caution as well as threat neutralization.

You travel to the Vulcanoid Gate on V-2011/Caldwell.

V-2011/CaldwellThe gate itself and its facilities are located in the polar region of this asteroid. TerraGenesiss

ownership is questionable but hard to dispute after many years of operation. They specialize inextrasolar terraforming operations and geoscience research missions though exploration is still

high on their priority list. A notable chunk of gate time is leased to TerraGens numerous

partners.

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Player Insertion

Roll initiative to determine arrival order (8 hour arrival time). 1 week to mission start. Playerssurrender all equipment as part of new security measures, TerraGenesis will provide suitable

equipment for all mission ops.

Direct players to briefing room.

BriefDark room with archaic projection screen at one end. Once all players are assembled a,

projected AI walks into the room. Flowing lines of code in the shape of a humanoid.

AGI Somnal 6 provides the briefing to the players.

Greetings I am Somnal 6, and no I dont need to know your names, I just need to know that you

can do your Jobs

TerraGenesis has recruited you because you seem to be the best at the job, now as for the job

in question

A previously dead Library entry has suddenly become an available active gate. It appears to lead

to our nearby neighbour Alpha Centauri B-d. Probe exploration has revealed Earth like gravity

and an highly toxic atmosphere of 81% Carbon Dioxide. There is evidence of local Flora so Im

sure I dont have to tell you that Vac-Suits are Mandatory. There dont appear to be any valuableresources on the planet but we have picked up on something that requires further investigation.

There will be three sites which you are required to explore.

Site one shows a high amount of non-local organic matter. Yes, there has been alien visitors to

the planet. You are to determine further details of the source and purpose.

The second site of interest appears to be a collection of artificial buildings. Our probe detected

no movement or energy sources. But we did not have time for a thorough look. You are to

investigate the area, enter the buildings and determine their purpose.

The final site is the furthest away from the gate but of most potential use to us. There is a

massive ship wreck approximately 3.4km long. There are sporadic energy readings from inside

the ship. You are to explore this ship and determine its state and condition. Our analysts have

determined that this appears to be a human ship and is likely a Pre-Fall colonial ship. There is

likely much valuable data and pre-fall relics. Bonus finders fees will be provided for any

interesting artifacts. This ship is the high priority of this mission and the majority of your time

should be spent here.

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Due to the large amount of work required, you will be given 48 hours to return to the gate for

Rendezvous connection. Our next timeslot for Alpha Centauri connection will be next month soyou better be back in time.

As you have already been told, you will be provided with all the needed equipment, to be returned

at mission close. Here is a complete equipment list for you to choose from. Highly suggested

articles are standard Vac Suits and grav cycles for travel. Aside from that, the only limit on what

you can bring is what you can comfortably carry, on person and storage on your cycle.

The contract terms are simple and verbal confirmation is required.

The Contract All equipment will be provided for exploration purposes

Full healthcare and backups will be provided in the event of injury or morph destruction

You salary will be scaled depending on your mission report and information gathered.

Bonuses will be provided as per finders fee basis.

Once all players confirm

Very good, Your programmed mission time starts at 0800 hours, 4 days from now, in the

meantime you can prepare. Here is an equipment list of available resources, make sure you are

ready for any scenario.

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Equipment List

All the equipment available in the ruleset is available from TerraGenesis. (Players basically clonetheir gear). Here is a list of suggested additionals, provided the players dont already have them.

Vacsuit

Go Cycle

Robomule

Crasher Suit

Recently developed by Omnicor, this is a high-end version of a standard vac suit

customized for a gatecrashers needs. It has all of the features of a standard

smart fabric vacsuit (p. 333, EP) except that it provides 10/10 armor and is

equipped with wrist-mounted tools (p. 309, EP) and a Life-Support Pack (p. 159).

The suits gauntlets and boots are all hardened and provide an extra +1d10 DV onmelee attacks.

Portable Solarchive (provides meshnet information outside of the mesh)

Defense Beacons

Shelter Dome

Mission Recorder

Healing Pod (Heal at the same rate as a Healing Vat)

Survival Belt

Basic Tool Kit (p. 326, EP)

Breadcrumb Positioning System (p. 332, EP)

Electronic Rope (10 meters) (p. 332, EP)

Emergency Rations (p. 158)

Filter Straws (3) (p. 159)

Flashlight (p. 333, EP)

Flex Cutter (p. 334, EP)

2 Nanobandages (p. 333, EP)

Solar Recharger (p. 155)

Radio Booster (p. 314, EP)

Recon Hopper (p. 161) or Recon Flyer (p. 161)

Repair Spray (p. 333, EP)

Utilitool (p. 326, EP)

Viewers (p. 326, EP)

Spindle + Climber

Patch Kit (Repair Vac Suits)

Plasma Cutter

Scout Missile (Mapping)

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The Gate

The players and their gear assemble in the ready room for the gate at 0750. Gate operationbegins at 0755.

In the gate room.

Before you is a ramp leading up to a rough sphere of interlocking angled arms, like a round

patterned cage. The material itself appears alien. As the mission clock ticks past 0755 the arms

start to move and change shape, reforming. Over the gate room speakers you hear a

technician.

TechnicianSable wormhole connection established to Alpha Centauri B-d, standby for full assessment

A black hole suddenly appears in the circle. To all those poets whining about the deepest black,

they have seen nothing like this. This hole is the definition of black. It absorbs all frequencies of

the EM spectrum. WIL x 3 or suffer 1D10/2 -1 SV.

Technician

Assessment complete, connection status nominal, Gate passthrough allowed...see you in 48

hours

As you pass through, there is a slight tug pulling you in. But the transition itself is seamless,

stepping from a brightly lit room on one side to a alien planet on the next.

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Alpha Centauri B-d

First look

Alpha Centauri is a binary star system and planet d is currently in the cycle with both suns being

in the sky. B provides the majority of the light while A is somewhat like a the same luminosity ofthe Moon. There is enough light provided from B to read a book with no artificial light. The planet

itself is tidally locked therefore always remaining day on this side. Temperature stays at a

constant 282 Kelvin due to a lack of weather and low atmosphere.

The planet itself is rocky and quite barren though there is some evidence of flora. There is also

evidence of Terraforming, though there is no visible water in the area, Humidity is higher than

previous probe readings, also indicating a drop in CO2.

Further (appropriate) investigation will reveal several ice comets in a slow decaying orbit of the

planet. Slowly introducing water to the planet.

+1 rep for acquiring this information.

Full atmosphere composition can be determined with gear. 81% Carbon Dioxide, 11% Oxygen,

7% Nitrogen, 1% Argon.

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Flora

On further investigation of the flora, it appears that it is a mix of both local species and genetically

modified earth strains.

Players can investigate the local area further, start mapping (with the scout rockets they

hopefully brought), or make their way to the first site.

On cycles, the first site is approximately six hours away. (keep track of time to see if players will

make the rendezvous in time).

Site 1

Investigation of the area will reveal both alien and human organic material. scattered all over thearea. Bones mostly. Some tech is still around but doesnt work. Humans have pre-fall tech that

may be valuable. Aliens have their own brand of tech that also might be of interesting. Both are

incomprehensible to the players.

Aliens

Analysis of the bone structure reveals a very small body and suggest a racoon like appearance.

Their equipment also suggests that they are Exoplanet explorers.

Humans

Appear to be non-morph humans. Aside from a few implants and slight genetic modification,

these are non-morphs. Very unusual, and something the PCs have probably never encountered

before.

Depending on investigation rolls, can reveal that there was a fight between these two groups and

judging by the amount and pattern of the remains, the Humans won. No further information can

be acquired.

Half an hour to investigate site 1.

+1 rep for technology recovered, +1 rep for discerning the nature of the fight.

Amendment

My players seemed to have an unusual obsession with these racoon creatures so I will build

upon their story after the encounter with the bots during the rest period.

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Traveling to site 2

The journey itself will take 4 hours through some rough terrain. Roll some skill checks todetermine if the leading cycle will take any damage (can add +20 for go-cycles if the PC has only

base skill). It can repaired but will take a task action of one hour and the appropriate skill. If the

cycle is inoperable, player can double up with someone else. Reduce carrying capacity by 1.

If the task takes a long time, players can be reminded that the priority is in the ship exploration,

which is 8 hours away and may be encouraged to skip site 2 if they dont want to risk things.

However there could be valuable information at site 2. Leave up to the players to decide.

Site 2Site 2 is made of a single concrete type road with square buildings on either side. The buildingsthemselves are made out of a type of metal alloy and appear to be atmospherically sealed.

There is one slightly larger square building at the end of the road.

The buildings on either side have no power but can be cut into with plasma cutters or similar..

They are simple residential buildings, Designed for humans. Simple sleeping quarters with

Hygiene facilities. The local computers have no power and if the PCs do manage to provide

power, will find the memory corrupted.

The building at the end of the street is more interesting. The door is bashed open by something

that seems really large. Inside they find one skeleton whose rib cage has been crushed inward.

The room itself is a meeting hall and there is a large screen at one end connected to a

computer. This computer is solar powered and some hacking/interfacing rolls will give access.

Can provide more information about the colony if successful.

Site 2 Colony

Is an advanced outpost sent ahead of the main colonial transport. The boxes would deploy

from orbit to house Engineers and scientists to prepare a suitable site of landing and

colonization.

Amendment

Can deduce that there must be another ship in system aside from the colony ship, it may

still be in orbit or crashed somewhere else on the planet.

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Ark

The ship is named Ark, and is a colonial slow ship that departed earth 30 years before the

fall. The crew was put in cryogenic sleep with a skeleton crew available for maintenance.The journey from earth to this planet would take 40 years and logs seem nominal for the first

30. However during the fall period, the logs fragment. And there appears to be no record

keeping. You find out that they lost communication with Earth around this time, but were

forced to continue their mission due to inability to turn around. Any other log records are too

fragmented to be of any use.

+1 rep for recovering this data

Also in the computer banks is an audio file. The last recorded message on file.

Theyre everywhere, whatever you do, dont wake up the crew. Something infected them, got in

their mind, got into my mind. I accept my fate, take me to oblivion, ahhhhhh.

https://www.mediafire.com/?uq7bk09yy6g75xe

There is nothing else of value at Site 2. PCs should be encouraged to move onto Site 3 to

investigate despite the disturbing information they may have gathered. Incentives could be the

fact that they wont get paid if they dont. Firewall mission to prevent x-threats. Possible loss of

rep and having nothing else to do in whatever time they have remaining.

Exploration of site 2 takes 1 hour. The travel time from site 2 to site 3 is 8 hours.

Note that if 20 hours have passed, PCs have to rest for at least 4 hours or suffer -10 to all

actions.

Rest periodAt this point the PCs may be itching for some combat so this is an entirely optional scenario.

Sentry bots could attack the camp near the end of their rest period. If they have a lookout or

defence beacons they will be prepared for the encounter, if not, the bots will have surprise

advantage. This should be an easy fight to introduce the danger of exoplanets and appease the

players combat teeth. I assure you, harder fights will come.

2-4 (scale depending on amount of players) identical sentry bots

DUR 30, INIT 8, FRAY 60

Laser Pulser x2 (60), 2D10 (can fire both lasers in SA at the same time)

Speed 1

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Hacking

Being alien bots, anyone attempting to hack them suffers a -60 modifier. The best method fordealing with these machines is to shoot it until it falls apart.

Investigation of the bots show them to be alien in nature, likely remnants of the raccoon race that

they encountered earlier. The ease of combat should leave few injuries and allow the PCs to

continue to the next site.

Amendment

Investigation of the bots also reveal them to be hunter killer drones that specifically target

humans, (won't attack uplifts and likewise unless provoked). Appropriate checks can reveal tight

beam signals from a nearby outpost. Up to the players to decide whether they have time to

investigate.

Bot OutpostA relatively small building, roll infiltrate/perception checks to see if the automated bots detect the

PCs. When and if the players make it inside the building they will find approximately 30 bots

charging with about 10 empty slots. PCs can try to interface at -60 to gain more information, or

use Cog checks to determine that the bots patrol the area hunting infected humans (or any

humans), the process is automated and the aliens who designed if long gone. The PCs may try

to hack a bot (at -60 modifier) to recruit on. If successful, they can gain control of 1 bot but in the

process triggered a security protocol shutting down the rest of the bots. The bot the PCs control

has 16 hours of active use before requiring recharging, at which point it will shut down as the

PCs have no way to power the bot.

+1 rep recovery of bot

Note on the racoon race

Locating alien life is obviously a momentous achievement even if first contact has not been

made, so dont underplay that event. Having said that, the raccoon race is of similar technological

achievement as transhumanity and so nothing new can be learned from the tech recovered. All

that will be gained is the knowledge that there is another alien race out there with and already

likely negative predisposition towards transhumanity. (GM These aliens also have not gone

through their singularity event and so have not encountered The ETI yet, unlike The Factors. The

infected exsurgents may be the only view of transhumanity they have seen)

1-2 hours to investigate the Bot Outpost

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Site 3

This is the location of the ship named Ark. It is a truly massive construction over 3 km long.

Despite the fact that the ship has clearly crashed it largely has remained in one piece. Scanning

the ship would reveal sporadic energy readings and faint bio signs. A possible explanation being

the cryogenically frozen humans. The players can choose to approach the ship from the side or

at the front.

The ship itself has its own atmosphere (if slightly stale). All entrances will require players to go

through an airlock.

Front of the ship

The obvious point of entry here would be the broken glass of Navigation. Provided they can reach

it, being over 100m above the ground. A spindle and climber, or smart rope might be able to

snake the way up but may require some lucky rolls (MOX x 10). Inside Navigation they will find

exits locked to keep the atmosphere of the ship in. A hack/interfacing success will open the exits

for a short period of time, less than 10 seconds.

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Side of the ship

While traveling up to the side of the ship, the players can see several access hatches. Asuccessful hack or simply cutting through the hatch with plasma cutters would find the players

way into the ship. GMs discretion as to where the players will then end up.

Half an hour to make it into the ship.

Inside the shipThe atmosphere inside the ship is a standard earth mix and the PCs have the opportunity to

breath it with no detrimental effects. For some reason a lot of Sci-Fis have the characters breath

alien air as soon as possible. Never understood this but the PCs may be just as disillusioned as

everyone else.

Here is a list of locations inside the ship and what the players will encounter. GMs are free to

choose which areas the players encounter and in whatever order they want. The main story will

be listed after the possible encounter areas. The areas are also numbered, if you want to roll to

see where the players end up.

20 minutes to explore each area. If just passing through, negligible.

Amendment

Feedback from players say that the random dice rolling is arbitrary so in the interest of including

more player decision, I have designed a rudimentary map of the ship. I highly recommend you

use this. You still use the room descriptions but trigger the greater story at your discretion or

while the players are making their way to the engine room.

There is obviously a greater amount of complexity in a ship of this size, but the mapped sections

lead to points of interest in the ship, assume other paths lead to subsystem or areas of no

interest to explore. The main pathways are illustrated and provide a fast travel rail system. A

mapping system will show the basic layout of the ship (the players can see the areas) but they

wont know the purpose of each section until they travel inside them.

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1. Navigation

Also known as forward bridge, this area also used to feature a sensing suite at the front of the

ship for advanced navigation and sensing. Most of the systems have been completely destroyedduring the crash. Though there may be one working console to give the players some trajectory

logs of the ship and crash statistics. If the players access navigation from inside the ship, they

will see atmosphere compromised warnings on the entrance.

Navigations exits/entrances can be hacked/interfaced to be open for short periods of time, >10

Seconds. The relatively similar atmospheric pressures inside and out will lead to very little

convection.

+1 rep for recovering this data.

2. Cryo Chamber

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The storage room for crew in cryogenic sleep. Along the side of the walls are a series of upright

pods. But only half of the pods are occupied. The unoccupied pods are in different states of

disrepair from broken glass to completely smashed.

Investigation of the pods show that they have been hooked up to a rudimentary network, similar

to a wired mesh network. Whether this is for simul space or just monitoring health is unknown.

Inside the occupied pods are infected and will attack players if they attempt to revive the NPC.

The infected are unmutated but have the same stats as basic infected (see below for stats).

3. Mess Hall

The mess hall is a large room of tables and chairs, obviously meant to be a dining area for the

skeleton crew that maintains the ship. Unlike other areas there is little of interest in this room, but

feel free to waste the players time as much as possible.

4. Med Care

Med care is actually a series of rooms that make up a small hospital. On the beds are long dead

patients, though decomposition is slow due to the sterile environment. Can show first sign of a

restrained infected here for the players to encounter. The players will find that they cant

communicate with the infected and if they wait too long, it will break free of the restraints and

attack the nearest player.

A thorough search of the area will find some medicine supplies (heals 1D10 of damage, can only

be used once on each player) and a large store of stimulants, Stim-X. Apparently used by the

crew in dangerous situations to improve reflexes and danger response time. Treat as same

stats as MRDR (+1 Speed, +10 SOM, +10 DUR), addiction rules apply to Stim-X.

5. Forward Engineering

This room controls power routing to large sections of the ship. There is a large console here,

think the size of about 50 computer screens and it is active. Interfacing/Hack check will reveal

that a large amount of power is being wasted on already damaged sections. The players can

pass another skill check to reroute this power to life support and lighting gaining a +10 modifier

on perception/surprise checks. Alternatively, the players can route more power to the fast rail

system allowing them to travel between areas more quickly (up to discretion of GM as to howmuch time is saved).

Safety protocols prevent overloading of the power grid.

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6. Crew

Housing for the skeleton crew. A series of rooms with most of the door being jammed

mechanically shut, but some have open doors. The players can cut through at the cost of a taskaction (10 minutes). But there wont be anything in there seen from the other rooms with open

doors.

There is obvious sign of habitation, from clothes on the floor to one room with an old earth sports

game stuck on loop.

Hearing perception check to see if players notice clanging sounds from distant areas of the ship.

Nothing of value here aside from the fact that they are almost certainly not alone.

7. Hanger

Storage and launch bay for the shuttles to the ship, both for transport and external maintenance.

The hangar doors have been jammed shut and there it not enough power to open them. Trying to

cut through will reveal that the doors are as thick as the ships hull and unable to pierce in anyreasonable amount of time.

The two rooms shown on the ship are actually storage (think aircraft carrier) for the various

shuttles. The second level is where the shuttles actually launch from above the hangar bays. But

the upper bay doors to them cant be opened either due to damage or lack of power.

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If the players attempt to activate any of the shuttles, they will find that their power sources have

long since died and any power sources the players have brought with them are either

incompatible or insufficient to power any shuttle.

Maintenance

Situated in the hanger is maintenance. Here, there are various disassembled vehicles and

shuttles. A thorough search of the area will reveal a working intact pre fall tech repair kit (+20

repair). The players can keep it for themselves, or turn it in for the finders fee.

+1 rep for acquiring this technology

8. Hydroponics

The greenery in here is rampant. Approaching Hydroponics, the players will see evidence of

plant growth that seems to grow right into the metal. Aside from this near impossibility, the plant

life overflows the room. The flickering lights could not possibly provide the amount of energy

necessary to grow these plants. WILL x 4 or suffer 1 SV.

The plants themselves have been infected with the Exsurgent virus and their rapid growth is a

symptom of this infection, for what purpose is beyond trans humanities scope. If the PCs

attempt to take a sample of the plant they will encounter The Botanist.

The Botanists motivations are simply to protect the plants that are growing. He has been

infected but in a different way. He is still insane but can be talked to and still possesses some of

his reasoning skills. He has become so close to them that they form a symbiotic relationship.

The plants part before him and as he strokes them, they vibrate in response. If the players try

and harvest the plant without his permission, he will attack them.

The Botanist stats

DUR 30, INIT 7, FRAY 70, Exotic Ranged Weapon 70

The botanist will hide himself among the plants and use them for cover.any player attempting to

target him will receive the appropriate penalty. The plants themselves give him an armor of 9/9

He attacks using the moving vines which have a range of about 10m. 2D10 + 3. He targets

whichever player was trying to take a sample.

If the players do something as silly as manage to start a fire, then the room becomes filled with

dark smoke and the PCs may be caught in the fire if they dont get out fast enough. Since The

Botanist is somewhat lucid, he can be reasoned with. The PCs may be able to convince him

that they are spreading the plant seed or whatever they can imagine would convince him.

+1 rep if the players retrieve a sample.

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9. Storage

There is not much here aside from a large room full of pre fall tech. Most of it is far too large andheavy to easily plunder. Relevant skills checks will reveal that this is colonization tech including

fabbers, life support, construction, and even terraforming equipment. Doing a full search (task

action) will find some small devices of unknown purpose but still pre-fall tech and may be of

value.

+1 rep for recovering this tech.

10. Life Support

The systems appear to be working at minimal capacity, its a wonder that the ship has

maintained atmospheric integrity. If the players have discovered the rampant growth of the

Hydroponics farm, this would explain the mystery.Else, appropriate skill checks will reveal that

there must be a huge source of Oxygen production outside of life support.

Add half an hour for travel between areas.

The Greater StoryThe players will get time to explore a couple of these areas and up to the GMs discretion can

trigger the next part of the story. Keep in mind that the players will still have time to move through

other areas of the ship after the first encounter.

During travel between areas or even inside one of the areas, the PCs will be attacked by a gang

of Exsurgent infected humans.

Infected Humans

Theses creatures are clearly human but something has changed them, their skin has become

rough and gained a hint of grey. Weird growths are attached to various parts of the body that

serve no obvious purpose. Aside from heavy looking growths growing directly from the infected

hands. Which are clearly used for hitting things. The infected who dont have these growths use

makeshift clubs out of wrenches or metal piping. WILL x 3 or suffer 1D10/2 SV

Some infected can be carrying medium pistols depending on GMs discretion. Melee infected will

charge opponents and proceed to knock the shit out of the closest PC.

The first encounter with infected should be fairly simple but somewhat harrowing, PCs should

take at least some damage. Would advise the infected to arrive in waves to lengthening the

encounter and make it as claustrophobic as possible. Advise between 6-10 of both types of

infected.

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Infected (basic melee) stats

DUR 30, INIT 7, FRAY 70, Melee Weapons 70, SOM 25They hit with makeshift clubs or growths that seem to grow from their hands, 1D10 + 2 + 3

Infected (ranged pistol) stats

DUR 30, SOM 25, INIT 7, FRAY 70, Melee Weapons 50, Ranged Weapons (70)

Standard Medium Pistol with regular ammunition, 2D10+4, SA BF FA

After the encounter, roll perception to determine if the players hear the hordes of Infected

heading towards them. Volume increase and doppler effect analysis reveals that they are 10

minutes away. Muses or cog checks could reveal the Infected group numbers in the hundreds.

There are two options here

Players may decide to make a last stand:

Just as the infected horde comes into view and as you start lining up shots, the doors slam shut

locking the infected on the other side, the players hear a voice over the speaker

Players decide to try and run, for an exit or more:

Have them perform multiple free running checks and encounter the lone Infected to quickly barrel

past or deal with as quickly as possible. With the inevitable failure (or attempted heroism by a

player) the infected horde comes into view behind you and just as they are about to charge the

players a bulkhead door slams shut between them locking the infected on the other side, the

players hear a voice over the speaker

Theres no time to explain, if you want to survive follow my instructions completely. I cant hear

you by the way, but I have somewhere safe for you to be

A side hatch opens in the wall, previously undetectable. Investigation will reveal it to be

maintenance corridors. There is a light system guiding the players. If they decide to go a different

way from the lights have the speaker voice slam some bulkheads down.

I told you, the only way youre getting off this ship is with my help, now follow the damn lights

The players should probably follow the lights.

30 minutes to make it to the safe room.

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The Safe Room

The players will eventually find their way to a brightly lit room with only two exits. Its exact

location is somewhere between 4 and 3, if youre using the map. The one they just came through

and a locked door ahead of them. Above the door is a computer screen that turns on once all the

players are in the safe room. A flash of images rapidly flicker on the screen along with a high

pitched whining sound which abruptly cuts off. (GM: This is a You Gotta Believe Me Hack, which

will come into play during the final fight, can have the players roll COG + INT + SAV now if you

want them to suspect something now or later on at the final fight).

When the screen comes on again there is a rough looking human wearing a dirty tattered lab

coat. Despite these features, he at least looks normal and human. His hair is cut to military style

and has a clean shaven look. He speaks with confidence and direction, though with slight insane

ticks that is up to the GM on whether to reveal. He is pacing around a brightly lit white room with

some consoles visible in the background.

Ah, I see youre all here safely good. I was worried you wouldnt make it here for a second

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My name? oh, my name. Im afraid I lost the original years ago. But I gave myself a new one. I

am the father of this ship, its designer and creator but my children took her from me. I am

named...Chronos.Try and pronounce Chronos arbitrarily almost like Cronus. If the players know anything about

greek culture, they will suspect the titan as opposed to the God of time (will become relevant

when he fights the players later).

I need...I need you...to destroy the ship. We have been infected, Earth failed us. She was meant

to support us, instead she sent this thing here to kill us. Ark is better lost at sea than given over

to pirates.

I have an override code.hmm interesting network you have there

Chonos will directly beam the code into the PCs heads (GM: used PSI feats to transfer the data)

A map also, here, find your way to engineering I will make sure the way is clear, though I think

there might already be something living down there it enjoys the warmth... Anyway, input the

code, it will send the engine into meltdown. Should be about 2 hours before the ship goes down.

As I said, youre not getting out without my help, if you do this for me, Ill tell you where the last

few operable lifeboats are. It is a small task and you are clearly much better equipped than I am,

should be no problem.

There are some useful supplies in these rooms that are on the way to the engine room, you

would be good not to miss them

At GMs discretion provide as many rooms as the players missed available for travel on the way

to the engine room. Add 20 minutes to mission clock for each room visited.

The players may continue to do his bidding in which case move onto the engine room (after final

exploration). If the player decides to try to get into the locked room, trigger the Path 1 ending

scenario. If the players just decides to try to fight their way out without complying with his

demands trigger the Path 2 ending scenario. Keep in mind that it is in the players best interest to

destroy the ship given the x-risk it poses. AI can remind players of this fact.

1 hour for discussion and travel to the engine room.

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The Engine Room

The engine room is a huge space that is also uncomfortably warm. It is a massive room. A

circular column is in the middle which runs from the bottom to the top of the ship. Various

walkway lead from the edges of the room to the center column, the reactor. The engines

themselves automatically run on nuclear fusion that is unlikely to run out for at least another 10

years. It will take the players (at walking and careful place) 20 minutes to reach the main engine

control to input the program. If the players are being careful, they may spot the Infected as itheads towards them. If not they suffer a surprise test.

Infected (Jelly) stats and description

This infected has somehow managed to become the conglomerate of several humans, whether

due to the unusual heat of the environment or a freak mutation of the virus. But the humans that

are part of this have become translucent and jelly like, limbs and bodies dissolving into the mass.

Though stray heads and legs stick out. The Jelly can morph into different shapes at will but

maintains an amorphous blob at rest. It also has a number of limbs or tongues with fleshy

spikes that have great gripping ability. It can apply toxin either through its tongues or with an

AOE (5m diameter) spit attack. The players will either spot the Jelly climbing above them or they

will be surprised when the Jelly drops into the middle of their team.

WILL x 3 or suffer 1D10/2 SV

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COG 30, COO 10, INT 30, REF 15, SAV 15, SOM 20, WIL 30, INIT 9, SPD 2, DUR 70, WT 14,

Movement Rate: 4/16

Skills: Exotic Ranged Attack (Spit) 50, Free Fall 50, Perception 60, Unarmed Combat 60Notes:Armor (12/12), Enhanced Smell, Spit Attack (area effect), Tongue (DV 1d10 + 3, AP 0),

Toxin (Application: D, O Onset Time: 1 Action Turn, Duration: 5 Action Turns, Effect: 1d10 2

(roundup) DV per Action Turn ). Due to their physical form, jellies suffer the minimum amount of

damage from standard kinetic weapon and blade attacks. With each of its speed turns it will

attempt to spit and then attack with a tongue.

Can roll a medicine (or relevant) skill check to remove the toxin, after combat has ended to avoid

any further effects of poisoning. This toxin will compromise vac-suits and if it isnt repaired by the

time the players make it back outside, the player will suffer CO2 poisoning and death within

seconds.

Upon successfully dispatching the infected, the players can continue onto the engine control

console. Interface/hack will allow insertion of the overload code and start the two hour timer.

Immediately upon completing this task the players hear a voice over the speaker

Thank you, fantastic work. I could never have done that without you guys. Now Im sure youre

thinking where are those lifeboats, right? Well, Im afraid that secret will be kept by me, the risk of

infection is too high, youre going to have to go down with the ship. However, It was a pleasure

knowing you, have a nice death.

There are two ending paths the players can choose (I prefer path 1). Cog tests or the common

sense trait will help them come to the decision.

Path 1

They decide to backtrack their way to the safe room and gain entry to meet with Chronos and

force the lifeboat locations out of him

Path 2

The players try and find their own way out of the ship, making their way to the hull or something

of their own imagining. They travel through any remaining unexplored sections and have at least

2 encounters of at least 6-15 infected. Can also introduce the Tank infected if another mini bossis wanted. Dissuade this path, cannot cut through the hull too thick, likely hundreds of infected

between them and any potential lifeboats or hatches, relatively clear passage back to Chronos.

30 minutes to complete engine room.

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Path 1

The players journey back to the safe room is uneventful and presumably they wont want toexplore given the limited time frame they have. In the safe room, they can attempt to hack

through the door or blast it open. During this process, the screen will turn on to an empty room

with Chronos no where in sight. But the speakers turn on

Infidels, you do not know who you are dealing with, you should just accept your fate, if you come

in here you will find an end beyond suffering

Chronos is truly insane now.

When the players make their way inside, they will find an empty room (at least until they give theall clear). Investigation of the consoles will reveal that all the processing power is going into

powering something similar to a simul space, and something that seems like a primitive AGI. It

would entirely be the wrong conclusion of the players to assume that this was all a simulated

personality and control.

They can upload themselves to the simul space to find themselves in a replica of the ship. The

simulated ship is in prime condition but has highlighted damaged sections in red with text

readouts detailing damage. The players can use this to try and find a way out i.e some working

lifeboats. To travel faster in the simul space, players can hack the program to gain GOD mode

powers. However just as they find a way out, the simul space will start collapsing and something

that looks like a computer glitch will try and attack them. WILL x 3 or suffer 1D10/2 SV.

Alternatively, they can hack the console to find the location of the lifeboats.

Just as they make their way to the exit, a previously unseen bulkhead will slam shut and a loud

thumping can be heard through the floor. After a couple of seconds of player dread, the floor will

burst upward and up will climb a battle suit piloted by none other than Chronos. Queue boss

battle music.

Chronos stats and description

The battle suit itself is a large metallic creation much like the suit in alien, but modified for

combat. Chronos sits inside the battle suit and expertly pilots it. He has a manic grin on his face

and he looks a lot more disheveled that what was on the screen. His white lab coat is actually

stained a dark brown and his hair has grown into a long mess.

Chronos himself has been infected with an advanced strain of the Exsurgent virus that gives him

(slightly OP) PSI traits. Chronos will use PSI tricks, Moxy and all the skills at his disposal to

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defeat the players. It is entirely possible that he might kill one or send one insane, but thats just

part of the game. Hes designed to be tanky and hurt, dont be afraid to go all out on the PCs.

At the beginning of the fight every player rolls COG + INT + SAV test. If they fail they suffered

from a basilisk hack in the safe room earlier. This is a You Gotta Believe Me (YGBM) hack

implanting a subliminal command. Every failed PC takes one shot at their nearest ally before

regaining their senses, this occurs before action turns.

Universal stats

Speed - Average all players speed then add 0.8 and round down to the nearest whole number

COG 30, COO 25, INT 30, REF 25, SAV 20, SOM 30, WIL 30, INIT 12, MOX 4

The first stage of battle will simply have Chonos charge the nearest PC and start pounding

down. He will switch aggro to whoever deals the most damage in that action turn.

Battle Suit

Armor 18/18, DUR 60, WT 12, Unarmed Combat 90 (4D10 AP-2), Fray 65

The battle suit will eventually be destroyed shutting down seemingly offering an easy kill shot to

Chronos. The first shot the PCs make at Chronos will blow up the suit in a cloud of debris and

smoke. SOM X 3 or suffer 2DV.

When the smoke clears Chronos will be floating above the ground surrounded by a pale green

light. This is the ultimate form of PSI mastery, the ability to change the very fabric of the universe

itself. The hard part starts. WILL x 3 or suffer 1D10/2 SV

Chronos

Armor , DUR 55 (Ignores wounds), Unarmed Combat 90 (3D10+3), PSI Assault 90, Fray 80

In addition, Chronos gains a number of PSI traits.

Onslaught

PSI TYPE: Active

ACTION: Complex

RANGE: TouchDURATION: Temp (Action Turns)

STRAIN MOD: Chronos takes no damage

SKILL: Psi Assault

This offensive sleight floods the targets mind with sensory input and thought processes that

are so alien and disturbing that they inflict 1d10 + (WIL 10, roundup) mental stress.

Any time Chronos makes a melee attack automatically roll Onslaught on the target

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Casimir Force Repulsion

This sleight exploits the Casimir effect (an interaction between the electromagnetic fields of

different objects) on a macro-scale, allowing the exsurgent to levitate himself or other

objects by creating repulsing fields. This could also allow the exsurgent to push targets

away, pin them against walls, etc. (GM use limitedly and dont allow power to be

overpowered)

Diffusion

This sleight diffuses light, laser, and particle beams, effectively making them useless as

weapons, Halving their DV

Kinetic Friction

The exsurgent uses this sleight to increase the friction applied to kinetic activities. This has a

negligible effect on most activities, but high-velocity projectiles like firearms and railguns will

be significantly slowed, decreasing their DV by half.

Can add these taunts when appropriate.

You think that gate opened by accident?

I am a god here, time means nothing to those who are above it.

Your mind is but a toy for me to play with

You weapons are useless against my power

After a hopefully long, difficult and rewarding fight, Chronos will be defeated and the players will

be free to escape the ship in what remaining time they have left. To make the escape more

exciting, Infected could be catching up to them just as the lifeboats launch. Remind players of

the mission clock and how long they have to make it to the gate.

1 hour to complete path 1

Path 2

The players try to find their own way off the ship. The areas they travel through will be theremaining unexplored sections or just regular hallways if that is all that are left. Along the way

they will be hounded by a minimum of 2 encounters of 6-15 infected. As many as you think would

wear down the party. During one of these encounters, introduce the Tank infected.

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Infected (Tank) stats and description

The tank infected used to be really large humans. A mutated strain infected him and turned himinto a hulking mass of muscle. His other features are much like other infected, weird growths,

and greyish rough skin.

COG 15, COO 20, INT 15, REF 25, SAV 20, SOM 35, WIL 10, INIT 7, MOX 1

DUR 80, FRAY 60, Unarmed Combat 90

The tank hits with his bare hands and due to its excessive strength get bonus damage. 2D10+4.

All successful attacks cause knockback regardless of DV.

The players will eventually find their way to a hatch that can be cut into or hacked. Or lifeboats,

can have them roll luck check to see if they come across a hatch or working lifeboats. Treat it as

a cinematic event as opposed to combat, occasional infected to hound them as they run

between areas. However during this process Chronos will appear to confront the team. Treat the

fight as the same part as the non battle suit Chronos detailed in part 1, however he only uses

PSI abilities at half health (Trigger during damage if he would suffer DV past the threshold). The

hatch will be conveniently located near the cycles for the journey back to the gate.

You think I would let you leave so easily?

1 hour to complete path 2

Back to the gateThe journey from the crashed ship back to the gate will take 10 hours. If the players used the

lifeboats, they can use them to make it back to the gate in 5 hours, but abandoning the cycles

and any salvaged tech left on them. If the players dont have the lifeboats, tough luck on them.

Switch to monologue mode to see if they survived the month. If they make it back to the gate in

time, have them pass through and switch to epilogue.

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Epilogue

The PCs will be fully successful if they gather all the data and tech available on the planet, findout what happened to the crew of Ark, and destroy the ship with time to make it back to the gate.

Max rewards is +8 C-Rep for finders fees, +4 I-Rep for dealing with X-Threat. Can exchange for

credits if the players want. Scale as appropriate to the PCs accomplishments.

The PCs find out that TerraGenesis plans to continue on with terraforming activities and initial

colonization on planet d given the players sterilization efforts and already in place infrastructure

for terraforming. Plus there is still likely a large amount of valuable tech that survived the

meltdown.

However there is still the likely presence of a research/early arrival ship in system somewhere. Is

this ship also infected, the PCs do not know, but firewall may send another mission to

investigate. (Plot seed)

The raccoon race that they found is obviously an exciting find, however due to the nature of the

gates they will probably never encounter them. Plus it is a worrying idea that the first contact this

alien race had with transhumanity was with infected humans that killed many of them. Chalk it up

to yet one more existential threat to transhumanity as while the the PCs have no idea where the

Raccoon race is from, the Racoons undoubtedly know the source of the colony ship.

The PCs themselves escaped with their lives (maybe) and have managed to make it through

quarantine on the other side. But in the back of their mind will be the idea that they might have

been infected by this super virus, that might be changing them and influencing them at this very

moment. And maybe, if they think hard enough, the speck of an alien entity passes through their

thoughts. Their imagination? Or a real threat to their very existence.

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eclipse phase campaign - ark

Documents

mission ops

mission spots foryour

gate entry

vulcanoid gate

caldwellthe gate

direct players

eclipse phase corerulebook